Biological and Psychological Approaches to Psychopathology

14/3/14Biological and psychological approaches topsychopathologyKey terms:Psychopathology ­ The scientific study of psychological disorders, their natureand their causesBiological approach ­ The view that behaviour is explained in terms ofbiological mechanismsBehavioural approach ­ (Applied from learning theory) All behaviour islearned through experience as a result of classical and operant conditioning andsocial learningCognitive approach ­ The key influence on behaviour is how the individualthinks about a situationPsychodynamic approach ­ Literally an approach that explains the dynamics ofbehaviour ­ what motivates yourself, it is suggested that the motivators areunconscious forces and life experiencesThe biological approach to psychopathology:Key terms:Genes ­ A unit of inheritance that forms part of a chromosome. Genes controlthe characteristic (traits) that we inheritGenetic inheritance ­ The reception of genetically coded traits throughtransmission from parent to offspringConcordance rates ­ A measure of the similarity between two individuals on agiven trait, expressed usually as a percentageDiathesis-stress model In the case of certain disorders individuals inherit a vulnerability (diathesis) to that disorder The disorder only develops if they are then exposed to difficult environmental conditions (stress)

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The relationship is the greater the underlying vulnerability the subsequently less stress is needed to trigger the incidence of that disorderOutline of approach: Assumes that all mental disorders have a biological basis, relating to change in the body. The malfunction of biological systems, processes and mechanisms. Thought to be mental illness caused by some underlying physical problem Genetic inheritance - the reception of genetically coded traits through transmission from parent to offspring.…read more

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This shows that drugs rid the individual of their abnormal symptoms suggesting that the origin of the symptoms may be neurochemicalNo blame: The diagnosis of the mental illness implies that the patient is not to blame and is not responsible for their abnormal behaviour.…read more

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There is not a simple cause and effect relationship between biological influences and mental disorders The role of genetic inheritance is not casual, if this were the sole cause twins would both be mentally ill It is not clear whether the things that arise from a mental disorder are a cause of symptoms or just a consequence of them For example changes in neurochemistry could be the consequence of a mental disorder rather than the cause.…read more

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Key terms:Maladaptive behaviour ­ Any behaviour that inhibits an individual's ability tocope with or adjust to particular situationsSocial learning theory ­ The assumption that people learn through indirect aswell as direct rewards by observing the behaviour of models (observationallearning) And then imitating such behaviour if others have been awarded for such behaviour (vicarious reinforcement)Outline of approach:Only behaviour is important: Focuses solely on behaviour, the observational response someone makes towards their environment.…read more

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The environments in which behaviours are learned may reinforce maladaptive behaviours as they could provide desired consequences For example: An individual with agoraphobia, not leaving home lowers anxiety levels An individual with depression, displaying depressive symptoms elicits help from others, as this is rewarding the symptoms continueStrengths:Focus on behaviour: This overcomes the ethical issue raised by the medical model of labelling and stigmatising a patient as abnormal.…read more

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Experimenters have successfully used the principles of learning to create symptoms in participants, suggesting real disorders may develop in the same wayLimitations:A limited view: Behaviourist explanations are criticized as they offer an extremely limited view of what may cause abnormality.…read more

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The illness returns suggesting the underlying problem is still there casting a shadow of doubt over the claim that the problem of abnormality is due to purely maladaptive learningThe cognitive approach to psychopathology:Key terms:A-B-C model ­ Refers to the three components of experience that can be usedto judge whether an individual's belief system is distorted A ­ Activating event B ­ Belief C ­ ConsequenceCognitive distortions ­ Dysfunctional thought processing For example processing information in a way likely to cause…read more

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Strengths:Research support: Support for this approaches comes from the success of therapies based on the cognitive approach They have been shown to be effective in treatment of a range of disorders including panic disorders and depression Research shows that when they compared cognitive therapies (CT) with antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression CT was no less effective than ADM and better tolerated by patients.…read more

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It is also possible that faulty thinking is a vulnerability factor for psychopathology with individuals with maladaptive cognitions being at greater risk to developing mental disordersIrrational beliefs may be realistic: Not all irrational beliefs are irrational It is suggested that many people with depression actually have a much more realistic view of the world than non-depressive This suggests that depressive people may see the world for what it really is rather than normal people (rose-tinted glasses).…read more